Florence and The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise it up) Leo Zero Remix

Where does this all come from? Origins of ideas (sort of)

Where does all this come from?

Starting in grade school, but especially in high school and even college (shout out to Dr. David Lynn at Kenyon!) I wrote fiction, short stories. But after college and especially during grad school I stopped writing. Too much “real” writing to be done.

Then I had kids. My youngest loves stories, funny stories, silly stories. One day I began to tell him about a boy and his dog who go under a boxwood bush (they can grow to be twenty feet high around here) and meet a bunch of (regular sized) talking bunnies.  The dog now also talks. The rabbits, the boy and the dog all fight off the mean “germmies” who try and get the rabbits.

My son was not impressed, he would rather hear about silly things Mr. Frumble does.

Then, sometime later, I was think, day dreaming, about making movies. I had an idea for a cheap slasher type film, albeit one with deep social commentary. Then I thought about what other genres lent themselves to cheap, fairly easy to do movies. For some reason Medieval Knights came to mind. No idea why (I am pretty sure that those types of movies are not cheap…) But I imagined a story where a guy tumbled down a ravine into an alternate world, where it was full of knights and sword play etc.

Then, in a process that I have no idea how it works, I thought it would be cool if he met giant rabbits. That’s it. I wish there was a better story about where that came from.

Of course there is in a way. After I started writing the story during the summer of 2012 I sat down one night with my kids and watched a Disney film on Netflix, Alice in Wonderland.  It hit me like a ton of bricks; I had ripped off Lewis Carroll! And probably not a little from the Wizard of Oz too…

My process of writing is to not write a lot at first, but to play the story over and over in my head, usually as a means to get to sleep at night. It is a great way to lay out a story and also iron out problems. The process often goes like this—“Wouldn’t it be cool if character A did this? Yes!” but then later I will think “OK, but why? Why would they do that?” and then I trace back to a reason, which involves adding a new scene prior to the current one. I will often do this over and over. I think if I had to write it all out this way it would drive me nuts. I would have to constantly go back and “fix” things.

I still have to do that. One example is the knife that Riley gets in the first scene. At first it was just a prop, a reason for Riley to talk to the older Eric. But then I had a problem later on with the “girl” Eric will meet. And the Knife worked well to fix that problem, but only if I made it a special knife. So, back to the beginning to add more about the knife. A minor tweak, but still something I had to work through.

 

So, there is a little bit about where it all comes from. Except, not really of course. I have no idea where most of this comes from.

Chapter 5 - The Fair is reached

FIVE

Morning came quickly and before dawn both ours and the larger camp had broken. The eagerness of everyone (well most everyone ) to get to the fair began to infect me too. As we went back to the road we passed a tree. There was the man from last night, looking small and perfectly harmless, tied up to it, his hands behind his back. I looked questioningly at Andrew, who was still heavy with sleep, despite a good breakfast of bread and turnips.

“He’ll be fine. We pass a town in about two miles. They’ll send some Kingsmen back to deal with him.”

“He seemed pretty  scared of Walter. Maybe he thought Walter was gonna eat him?”

Andrew laughed. “No, we Lupus are vegetarian Eric.” I laughed back, Andrewsaid nothing more, staring down at the roads as we walked.   

“Are You alright Andrew?” I asked him as the others, in their usual way, were ahead of us by a few yards.

“A little sleepy just Sir. It was a rather eventful night you must admit.”

“No, that’s not what I mean. I mean… ever since we came off that path you’ve been, well, quiet!”

Andrew let out  a hearty chuckle. “Oh my and this has you worried? Not my rambling self? Huh, that is telling.” But he said no more as we kept walking.

“Is there something I’ve done or…?”

“No, no Sir. Look, nothing to worry. We’ll be in town tomorrow, I’ll get to hand in a report, pay off the fellows and we can all have a good week.”

“What then?”

Andrew Stopped and looked at me.”What then? What then… well I suppose Smit and Rake will end of drunk in  a ditch and have to crawl back to Heatherstone by themselves. Walter and Jet might pick up work, who knows, those two always land on their feet…”

“And you?”

“Ahhh, yes, off to my burrow Sir. I suspect that it must be getting many spider webs, unless Miss Elza has cleaned it, which I imagine she has not!”

“Is your burrow near the town? I’d love to visit it one day. Sorry, I didn’t mean to invite myself, but just perhaps stop by on my way back…home.”

“Ah yes, well certainly, certainly. Although it is not so near, but yes, why not.” Andrew said in a tone of voice I recognized meant that no such thing would ever really happen.

As the day wore on the road got more and more crowded as we got closer to the town. For the first time I began to notice more and more Rabbits, but still overall very few. And more people began to interact with our group. The air was decidedly getting more festive. I began to get more and more excited. Andrew however, seemed to shrink in size with every step.

By evening there was no escaping the practical carnival. Even Andrew and Walter loosened up, a little. Smit and Rake both eagerly told me that by mid morning the next day we would be in town and “knee deep in draught and fat farmer’s daughters.”

For the first time I was able talk to people outside the group. For some reason Walter and Jet, who still had not uttered a word to me, insisted on keeping near me. Unlike before, when the presence of Walter would scare people off, the larger crowd seemed to have more people who were not bothered by him. Perhaps as we neared the town we were encountering more worldly people.

I was sitting, eating my now usual dinner of splinters and bread with Walter, Andrew and Jet when what I assumed was one of Smit’s fat famer’s  daughters sat down next to me. Really, she was not fat, but really very pretty and fresh faced. She introduced herself as Penndeleppie.

“Penelope?”

“No, Penndeleppie.” She laughed a sweet laugh. I smiled back and introduced myself. I was feeling pretty special until she lowered her eyes and blushed a little.

“My friends and I” she nodded over to a small knot of similar young girls, all of who giggled when I looked over. “ We were wondering if you were from Aquatine? Your clothes are so.. .odd”

My smile ran from my face and I suddenly felt very self conscious “Aquatine? Um, no, I’m from Virginia.”

“Where is that?” She said, her face confused. By now Andrew had taken a half interest in the conversation.

“Beyond Aquatine young lady, on the um, coast,” he chimed in, a twinkle in his eye as he winked to me.

“Oh, excuse me Sir. Sorry, I had no idea you were with… well, sorry to intrude.”

“No, it’s ok. You can stay if you want.” I protested, but she was already standing up.

“Nice meeting you Mr. Eric, maybe I will meet you at the fair,” and with that she raced back to the group of girls, who all looked at her with expectant faces. She said something and their faces went slack and they all turned around and walked back into the crowd. Penndeleppie herself looked back and smiled, but then hurried along.

Andrew must have noticed the confusion on my face. But, as was becoming increasingly usual, his attempt to explain things only made me more confused.

“Yes, I had quite not thought of that!” I had no idea what he meant.

“Walter and Jet, when we get to the fair you will take Mr. Eric here to get some …suitable clothes. So that  he does not stand out so much. I will give you some metal for them.”

He then leaned in closer to me. “Eric, I had not wanted to say much about anything, I was worried that you might grown concerned. But really there is no help for it. It would be best if you were… cautious… about telling people too much about yourself. I am a well traveled Lepus, but I do not pretend to understand everything. The stream you crossed runs a while on the blackberry border. It is a strange place, even for us Lepus. Very few of you have ever come across it and none that I know of have ever gone back. Men here are. .. afraid of those woods…they might mistake you for…someone or something they are not happy to know. The lower the profile for you the better… Well bless my stars if it isn’t Mr. Forth!”

I turned to see a large silver rabbit coming across the campsite towards us. Andrew jumped up and hopped over. The two rabbits embraced and fell into a deep discussion. Again, a thousand questions went through my mind, and the peace I and been feeling all day vanished.

Unfortunately so had Walter and Jet. Suddenly I did not feel like being so social. I made my way back out to the edge of the campground and found a small embankment to lay down under. Despite my swirling head I found myself drifting off to sleep.

I awoke to the pre dawn sounds of camp breaking up. It walked around until I found Smit and Rake, and soon afterwards Walter and Jet. Andrew was nowhere to be seen.

“Likely he and Mr. Forth went ahead to town. Forth is another surveyor, so they probably are eager to get their report in. Come with us Eri.”

“Oh come now Mr. Walter. Rake and I can guide young Eric through the fair well enough.”

“Mr. Andrew gave Jet and I specific instructions to stay with Eri.”

“Suit yourself then. If you want to have fun at the fair then find us Eric.” And with that Smit and Rake melted into the crowd.

“Don’t worry about them Eri, they’ll find Mr. Andrew fast enough to get paid.”

I smirked at Walter. I could almost feel the clouds lifting now that Smit had left. “Yeah, don’t’ worry yourself Walter. The back of those two is better I think by far.”

“Now you're thinking” Walter said with a grin. I realized it was the first time I had ever seen him smile.

The town was larger than I thought. It was the largest town I had ever seen. I had only really been off the mountain proper a few times, mostly to Lovingston or Colleen and twice to Charlottesville. But this was a town built to last. It had high walls all the way around and in the middle a real life castle, just like the ones you see if fairytale books. Well, not exactly I guess. It wasn't that big a castle, but it was also built in such a way as to project strength. It had towers at the corners and a large gate in the middle of the front. You could see it through the town gate as the main street ran straight up to the Castle in the middle of the town.

The fair itself spilled out of the town around the broad front gate side. I didn’t go into the town proper right away. Instead Walter, Jet and I got off the road and began to walk along the town wall where lots of colorful tents were set up. All sorts of  goods were being sold, from produce and food to cloth and tools. Everything looked handmade, nothing seemed to come from a store like the ones we had back home.

Walter and Jet and I walked for a while, taking it all in. They seemed almost as amazed and curious as I was. I recalled they had been out surveying with Andrew for some years. Chances are they had not been to many markets this big either. Finally, after about twenty minutes of strolling Walter cleared his throat.

“Alright Eri, we could wander all day, but first things first. Andrew said you need new clothes. In between you and me I bet we couldn’t dress a naked man, but I think Jet might be able to help. Look, there’s a couple of tents with clothes in front. You two go on, I’ll get some rest outside.”

I thought it a little odd that he thought Jet, who had not said one word to me yet, would be of help. I guess he figured that a human was better help than a rabbit. So Jet and I ducked into a large green and white tent. Jet, being his usual talkative self just shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the lines of dresses hanging from strings tied to the ceiling. I gave a smirk back and saw an older lady leaning over a piece of clothing with a needle and thread.

“Excuse me.” I think I startled her, either that or my clothing really did seem odd. She jumped a little.

“Crowds coming is sooner than I thought. What do you need boy? Not a dress I suppose?”  I bit my tongue, back home I was old at 19, most of my friends my age had kids already. But maybe I seemed young, I don’t know.

“Uh, no Maam. I need, um..” I turned to look at Jet for help, but could not see where he was.

“Not from around here I’m guessin by the cut of those things. You need some normal clothes eh? Something that might help you get a date tonight?” She winked and  laughed at her own joke.

“Sure. Nothing too much, just ,uh, you know.. normal” I didn’t know why I whispered the last word.

But the woman did not seem to notice. She already had reached behind a barrel in the corner and gotten out a long green shirt and a pair of loose fitting brown pants. The shirt had some black embroidery work where the buttons met each other. IT looked like a twist of black ivy was splling down the front.  

“Here you go now sweetie. Fit for farming, hunting and a roll with a famer’s daughter. Won’t get you past the castle gate, but then again I don’t suppose you’re expecting that?”

“Uh, no, no.”

She stood there, the clothes still in her hands. “anyways, it ain't the clothes that are keepin the girls away I suspect. Here, try these on and if you like em, they’re yours for a cheap price. Then you need to go out and have some fun. I think those tight clothes of yours are cutting off your circulation. Here, step behind the curtain there. I’ll fight off the gals!” she laughed again. I decided pretty much right then that however they looked I would just get them and go, I did not want to hang out any longer than I had too.

I looked down at my pants and simple dress shirt. It was true that they were a bit more fitted than most I had sen around here. As I striped down I felt a sudden panic rise up in me. I guess I realized that I was in it now for more than a lark. I was a snake shedding my skin.

The clothes fit well enough. I can’t say I looked sharp, but I did feel like I fit in more. I stepped back out and noticed Jet standing in the entry to the tent. Walter’s big frame was outside.

Jet eyed me and smirked. “You look fine, pay the woman and lets go.”

I can tell you that as many shocks as I had in the past few days this was by far the biggest. Jet had not only spoken, but, well, SHE had spoken! I am sure the look on my face conveyed every thought that flashed through my head. Jet looked back at me and rolled her eyes.

“For the love of heaven above! Did you forget to mention I was a girl Walter!” She yelled out of the tent, her eyes ablaze. A loud and hearty laugh came from outside. Jet ducked back outside and I could hear Walter give an “ooff” as if he had been shoved.

“It is not a rabbit’s job to tell men who the other men are. I can barely keep track myself!”

“Ah go shove a carrot up your-“

“Jet, come back, its ok!” Walter boomed as she stormed off into the crowd. Walter turned around and poked his head into the tent. He wrinkled his nose then winked as the woman shot him a look.

“Pay her up Eri and be quick. Jet’ll cool off in a bit but I don’t want to spend all day looking for her.”

The woman named a price and seemed disappointed that I didn’t haggle. I had to remember that in the future I guessed.

Outside I felt noticeably better and cooler in the loose fitting clothes. I had wrapped up my old clothes in a bundle. I was going to keep my eyes out for a russet sack of some sort.

“Never understood how you men cannot tell each other apart without so many disguises.”

“It’s kinda important Walter. Isn’t it for Lepus too?”

“Ha! We rabbits can smell you know, that’s all you need.”

“Well… how do I look?” I asked, hold my arms out to my sides. Walter gave a quick snort. “Like a stuffed pig. Come on, let’s look for Jet before she beats up some guy for looking at her wrong, or worse drinks him under the table.”

There the old man stopped for a while. Riley was certain that he had fallen asleep even. The night was now dark. Faint sounds of a TV came from the living room where Riley’s mother, back from work, was fast asleep herself on the couch.

“Welp!” The old man suddenly exclaimed. “Time for bed I’d say.”

“But wait Paw paw. That didn’t explain anything! Are you waiting for the Walter rabbit to come get you or what? Is that why you’re sitting here every night? Did you like Jet or something?”

“Boy, its late. And no, that’s not the whole story. There is more. A lot more. And no, I did not fall for Jet. But I tell you what, there is more and there is a girl. A wonderful amazing girl.”

“Who is she, was she the farmer’s daughter, whatssher name?”

The old man laughed and gently pushed himself up.

“Good night Riley. Not  a word of this to your Mom and I’ll tell you some more tomorrow night. Ok?”

“OK. Thanks Pawpaw.”

“You already thanked me for the knife Riley.”

“Not the knife, the story.”

Chapters Three & Four

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